173 DB. CHASE'S RECIPES, 



Did you ever know the patient to stop instead of the disease? I have, many 

 a time, and have in this way, myself, been a wonderful dispensation of Provi- 

 dence. In tlie olden time men would not believe that the doctors aided large 

 numbers of people out of the world. Oh no! The doctors, God bless them, 

 pulled the sick through; they would all have died if it had hot been for the 

 faculty. 



It is wonderful how statistics take the conceit out of some people and some 

 things. When we find hundreds of cases of severe diseases tabulated — such as 

 typhoid fever and pneumonia — with a mortality of but one to three per cent., 

 with only good nursing and food, no medicine; and active, potent medication 

 gives a mortality of live to fifty per cent. 



Do Eclectic physicians kill people too? This brings the matter home, and 

 one doesn't like to confess his own sins, as a rule. But in this matter I am like 

 Artcmus Ward in the last war— I am willing to shed the blood of all my rela- 

 tions—and I answer in the affirmative — they do kill — not so many as the old 

 practice, it is true, but yet enough to cause us to look at home and rid ourselves 

 of the evil. 



Now, I am glad to know that you, and Eclectics as a rule, have a very 

 much better practice than theory. Whilst they occasionally wander off after 

 these phantasms, it is the exception and not the rule. 



As a body of physicians, we recognize the fact that disease in all its forms 

 is an impairment of life. And we recognize tlie necessity of conserving this 

 life, and of employing such means as will increase it, and enable it to resist and 

 throw off disease, and restore normal structure and function. 



We recognize the importance of the functions of circulation, innervation 

 ^healthy action of the nerves giving strength), excretion, etc., and the necessity 

 of obtaining as nearly a normal (healthy) performance of them as possible. 

 And all experience shows that just in proportion as we get this normal perform- 

 ance disease is arrested. 



From its inception (commencement) Eclecticism has been, to a very consider- 

 able extent, Specific JMcdication. The earhest writings point us to Dioscorea 

 (wild yam or colic-root) as a remedy for bilious colic, Hydrastis (golden seal) 

 for enfeebled mucous membranes, Aralia (dwarf elder) and Apocynum (Indian 

 hemp) for dropsy, Baptisia (wild indigo) for putrid sore throat, and similar con- 

 ditions of mucous membranes, Hamamelis (witch-hazel) for hemorrhoidSj 

 Macrotys (black cohosh) for rheumatism, etc. 



In our Materia IMedicas remedies were classed as emetics, cathartics, diapho- 

 retics, tonics, alteratives, etc., but in reading the description of medical proper- 

 ties, some special use or curative action would be pointed out, and for this it 

 would be commonly used. 



In all acute, and most chronic diseases, our examination of the patient and 

 our therapeutics will take this order: 1. With reference to the condition of the 

 stomach and intestinal canal — bringing them to as nearly a normal condition 

 as possible, tliat remedies may be kindly received and approjiriatcu, and that 

 sufficient food may be taken and digested. 2. With reference to the circulation 

 of the blood and the temperature — obtaining a normal circulation as regards 

 frequency and freedom, and a temperature as near 98° as possible. 3. With 

 reference to the presence of a zymotic poison, or other cause of disease, which 

 may be neutralized, antagonized or removed. 4. With reference to the condi- 

 tion of the nervous system — giving good innervation. 5. With reference to the 

 processes of waste and excretion — that the worn-out or enfeebled material may 

 be broken down and speedily removed from the body. G. Witli reference to 

 blood-making and repair — that proper material be furnished for the building of 

 tissues, and that the processes of nutrition are normally conducted. 



We may illustrate this further by calling attention to the tongue as a means 

 of diagnosing (determining) the conditions of tlie stomach and intestinal canal, 

 and of the blood. 



